Container with interlocking configuration

Abstract

A container, in a preferred form, includes a support member having a support surface, a first side that extends away from the support member and defines a first foot that is adjacent the support surface and that has a first face, and a second side that extends away from the support member and defines a second foot that is adjacent the support surface and that has a second face. When the first foot abuts the second foot, the first face and second face interlock to inhibit relative movement between the first foot and the second foot.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a support member having a support surface;   a first side extending away from the support member and defining a first foot adjacent the support surface having a first face; and   a second side extending away from the support member and defining a second foot adjacent the support surface having a second face;   wherein when the first foot abuts the second foot, the first face and second face interlock to inhibit relative movement between the first foot and the second foot.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first face includes a segment that is parallel to the first side and another segment that is perpendicular to the first side. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the second face includes a segment that is parallel to the second side and another segment that is perpendicular to the second side. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein when the first foot abuts the second foot the first face and the second face are substantially perpendicular relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein first face includes a recessed segment and the second face includes a protruded segment. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first face includes a first arcuate segment and the second face includes a second arcuate segment. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first wall and the second wall define a corner;   the first face defines a first angle relative to the first side;   the second face defines a second angle relative to the second side; and   the first angle is greater than the second angle.   
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first foot is oriented parallel to the support surface; and   the second foot is oriented parallel to the support surface.   
     
     
         9 . A container, comprising:
 a support member having a support surface;   a first side extending away from the support member and folded to define a first foot adjacent the support surface having a first face; and   a second side extending away from the support member and folded to define a second foot adjacent the support surface having a second face; and   an interface defined by the first face and the second face when the first face abuts the second face;   wherein the interface extends between a first end and a second end; and   wherein the interface is contoured between the first end and the second end such that the first face and second face interlock to inhibit relative movement between the first foot and the second foot.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the interface is contoured to include a segment that is parallel to at least one of the first side and the second side and another segment that is perpendicular to at least one of the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the first face and the second face are substantially perpendicular relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the interface is contoured to include at least one arcuate segment. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first wall and the second wall define a corner;   the first face defines a first angle relative to the first side;   the second face defines a second angle relative to the second side; and   the first angle is greater than the second angle.   
     
     
         14 . A method of folding a container from a blank defining a support member having a support surface, a first side having a first outer wall portion extending away from the support member along a first inner wall portion toward a first foot portion, and a second side having a second outer wall portion extending away from the support member along a second inner wall portion toward a second foot portion, comprising:
 folding the first outer wall portion substantially perpendicular to the support surface;   folding the second outer wall portion substantially perpendicular to the support surface;   folding the first inner wall portion substantially parallel with the first outer wall portion;   folding the second inner wall portion substantially parallel with the second outer wall portion;   folding the first foot portion substantially perpendicular to the first inner wall portion;   folding the second foot portion substantially perpendicular to the second inner wall portion; and   abutting the first foot portion and the second foot portion at an interface that is contoured to interlock the first foot portion and the second foot portion thereby inhibiting relative movement between the first foot portion and the second foot portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 folding the first foot portion substantially perpendicular to the first inner wall portion further includes folding the first foot portion substantially parallel with the support surface; and   folding the second foot portion substantially perpendicular to the second inner wall portion further includes folding the second foot portion substantially parallel with the support surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the contour includes a segment that is parallel to at least one of the first side and the second side and another segment that is perpendicular to at least one of the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the contour includes at least one arcuate segment.